How To Quickly Check Your Depth Of Field With An A7R II (And Other A7 Cameras)

So, you are used to make calculations about your depth of field when making landscapes? Or maybe you use an app on your smartphone? Sometimes it gets a little tricky when you absolutely wish to use your lens’ sweet spot or for some reason, the biggest aperture possible. You would then need to focus at a very precise spot to get your foreground and background in focus. (To not get too technical, check out hyperfocal distance).

HOW TO:
With the A7 cameras that is very easy and can be done (once configured) by the press of one button. Use auto focus first, then press the manual focusing button and check the DOF by looking at the peaking levels. Now you can see, everywhere you can see the peaking color, what will be in focus.

1. Make sure peaking is on. Menu > 2nd tab, 2nd menu. (Mid or high).
2. Make sure the AF/MF button is set to toggle and not hold. (You can also leave it on hold, but then your hands aren’t free anyore). Menu > 2nd tab, 7th menu. Custom Settings > Push once to the right to access more buttons. 2nd last one: Set it to AF/MF Ctrl Toggle.

AF/MF toggle setting

3. Use your auto focus.
4. Now switch to manual focus by pressing this button:

Toggle manual focus

5. Now you can see your DOF. Everything in focus is red.
6. Now you can either switch back to AF to adjust your focus point or stay in manual focus and adjust on the lens.
7. Press the shutter button.
8. Done, yay.